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24th ANNUAL MIRACLE WEEKEND BRINGS IN $17.9 MILLION FOR BC'S KIDS

Retail donors top industry sector list again

VANCOUVER, June 5, 2011 /CNW/ - BC Children's Hospital Foundation raised
$17,886,339 for BC Children's Hospital during the 24th annual Miracle Weekend, hosted by Global BC TV on June 4-5, setting a
new record. Miracle Weekend events have raised over $170 million for
the hospital since the first Miracle Weekend was held in 1988. The
Overwaitea Food Group was recognized as the largest Miracle Weekend
contributor, bringing in a single-company record of $2 million. The 26th annual ChildRun, also on June 5, brought in $1 million for the second
consecutive year with the support of the Wilson Family, ChildRun's
presenting sponsor.

"We couldn't have asked for a better weekend a Canucks win and the
support once again of thousands of people from across BC," said John
Ridley, BC Children's Hospital Miracle Weekend Chair. "Miracle Weekend
allows us to show our many donors that even the smallest gift can make
a difference in the lives of BC's children. Judging by the great
support we've received that message is getting through."

Miracle Weekend is the culmination of fundraising efforts throughout the
year by literally hundreds of diverse groups. Events include everything
from school fundraisers to golf tournaments to black-tie galas. The
hospital receives support from employee groups in financial services,
retail, mining, technology, professional associations, construction and
real estate, hospitality and restaurants, forestry and others, and
members of Children's Hospital's employee family. Annual events, such
as Jeans Day, Slo-Pitch, ChildRun, A World of Smiles Telethon on Shaw
and radiothons on 98.5 The OCEAN (Victoria) and Virgin Radio 95.3
(Vancouver) contributed to the total.

The 12-hour Miracle Weekend Telethon was broadcast on Global BC - ending
with the announcement of the total at 6 pm on Sunday. The
Chinese-Canadian Telethon and Radiothon, airing on Fairchild TV, CHMB
AM 1320 and Fairchild Radio AM 1470 on June 4, contributed $950,000 to
the total. The retail sector, one of many industry groups
participating, made the largest contribution from a business group in
the 24-year history of Miracle Weekend: $5.1 million.

"Thousands of people contribute time and money every year to ensure BC's
children have access to the best care provided by the best caregivers,"
said Teri Nicholas, president and CEO of BC Children's Hospital
Foundation. "The funds we raise are used to support the activities of
BC Children's Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre and the Child & Family
Research Institute and has a direct impact on the lives of hundreds of
thousands of British Columbians."

Donations to the Miracle Weekend are used to support the purchase of
life-saving equipment, research into the treatment, prevention and cure
of childhood diseases, recruitment and educational programs for
caregivers, and programs in communities throughout the province.

About BC Children's Hospital

BC Children's Hospital is the province's only full-service acute care
hospital and serves the one million children living in BC and the
Yukon. All children who are seriously ill or injured are referred to
Children's Hospital and are either treated at the hospital facility in
Vancouver or, with consultation from Children's specialists, in their
home community. Last year, more than 78,000 children were treated at
Children's Hospital. BC Children's Hospital Foundation received
donations from more than 120,000 people last year and had revenues of
over $56.4 million. Funds raised by the foundation are used to support
BC Children's Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children and the
Child & Family Research Institute. For more information, visit www.bcchf.ca